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Brent adjusted his black silk tie with angry jerking motions. He was wearing his tight black Hugo Boss dress slacks, which meant he’d planned to add a bit of sway to his walk to earn back the money in tips that he’d spent at the mall today.
The gentlemen’s club he and Brent worked at in downtown Norfolk would be full of wealthy, high-society men tonight, all fathers and husbands enjoying the last few hours of peace before they were forced to go back to their eight-hundred-thousand-dollar homes and play the dedicated family man.
It was sad for them but paid well for Spencer.
Brent put his arm around Spencer’s slumped shoulders.
“I know you were hurt by that rich asshole a long time ago, but you have to stop thinking you were gullible. You’re trusting, Spencer, and that’s not a bad quality. You deserve to be with someone who adores you and will spoil you with loveandpresents.”
“Thanks,” he murmured.
Spencer turned away to gather himself. He’d tried to stay out of that dark place in his heart, but it loved to rear its ugly head this time of year.
His ex had used his wealth and prominent status to control him, mentally and physically. In the beginning, Spencer had felt special being in a relationship with a congressman. Until one evening, he tried to offer his insight on relevant local issues at a fundraiser, but he discovered that when he spoke, his partner wasn’t listening, and neither was anyone else.
Spencer had become another man’s arm candy, not an equal in any way.
He decided at that moment he’d never be a trophy again.
Cole
“Why didn’t you just gift wrap the damn thing, get down on one knee, and present it to him along with your fuckin’ balls, Cole?” Gerald bitched while they locked up. “For shit’s sake. I know you have a soft spot for writers, especially the pretty ones. But what thehell, man?”
“Maybe I do have them priced too high. I mean, aspiring authors can’t afford eighteen thousand dollar bracelets. Shit,” Cole berated himself, not caring about Gerald’s confusion.
“If you even think about adjusting those prices again, I’ll murder you, and so will your father. This is from your exclusive collection, Cole.”
“And I’m proud of it. I want to see it on someone deserving of it, someone who’ll gaze at it like he did.”
“Can I remind you that the marketing execs would have your ass too? The prices are fair for the quality of the merchandise, and they stand. Got it?” Gerald ordered.
Cole wanted to growl. “What’s the fucking point of being CEO of a jewelry company and I can’t even authorize a fucking discount?”
“You can give a discount, Cole, not a giveaway. This has nothing to do with your title and everything to do with that tenderoni who just left.”
Cole cringed. “So how desperate did I sound?”
“Like you just entered gay puberty and found out what your cock can do.”
“Fuck you. I’m pretty sure you can leave the gay off and just say puberty,” Cole laughed.
He had to laugh at himself because what the fuck had he been thinking?
Cole waited for his store manager, frat brother, and best friend to walk under the security gate before he closed and locked it.
“I guess I liked the way he was staring at the bracelet. That’s my favorite piece too.”
“I know, brother.” Gerald slapped him on his back.
Cole’s driver and his security were waiting for him when he walked out of the door. He was almost in the back seat when Gerald called out to him.
“Yo! Anna is at her mom’s tonight. How about I treat you to that nice cognac and a cigar before you go back to the hotel.”
“You really wanna hang with a fuckin’ grinch on Christmas Eve? Or are you avoiding your in-laws for as long as possible?” he asked.
“Tell Anna and I’ll deny it after I slap you in the face.”
Cole laughed. “Fine. But do you even have a decent bar here?”
